Chloe stared at her own reflection in the mirror of the Agreste's bathroom. She couldn't help but hate who looked back at her.
Everyone probably thought she was this self-absorbed, self-loving narcissist. In reality, she hated herself, everything about herself.
She couldn't stand looking at this blonde girl who commanded everyone to do her will, just because her life was falling apart and she couldn't find a different way to deal with it, other than making her peers suffer with her. She felt pathetic. How could she have been so dumb? As if having others feeling bad would make herself feel any less lonely or unworthy of love.

She hadn't noticed that she started shaking. For once in a seemingly endless time, it wasn't because of sadness but because of anger. Anger at herself, her actions, how she treated others. Anger at Thomas, what he did to her, who he forced her to become. Anger at the entire world.
And just like that, her anger materialised in the form of a punch. With one motion, she balled her hand into a fist and took a powerful swing at the girl in front of her. A loud crashing sound announced the breaking of the glass.

Her breathing started slowing down a little. It had felt good to do that, she had to admit that.
But only for a second. Now all that was left was a numbing emptiness inside of her. Emotionless she looked down at her hand which was slowly loosening out of the fist. Her knuckles were bleeding from the encounter with the mirror. But she didn't feel any pain. She didn't feel anything.

She didn't even notice that the door had opened up behind her until Adrien let out a loud ''Oh my god!''
Chloe didn't move a muscle. She just stood there, in a pool of shattered glass pieces and her dripping blood.
Suddenly Adrien appeared next to her, with big eyes and an open mouth. ''I- what happened?''
She didn't respond. He gulped and just silently nodded while taking in the mess.

He placed his hands on her shoulders and guided her out of the bathroom and to his room where he gently pushed her onto the side of his bed.
''I'll be right back.'', he said and jogged out of her view.
A few minutes later, he came back, a white little case in his hands - a first aid kit.

He kneeled down in front of her and started working on her hand. First, he looked for broken pieces that were stuck in her skin and removed those. When he was content with it, he started applying salve and bandages. In the process of that, the numbness began fading from Chloe's body and at one point where he pulled a little too strong, she hissed quietly.

He automatically jumped and pulled a grimace. ''I'm sorry.''
Chloe overcame shame. She got herself into this mess, he was kind enough to help and now he felt guilty because she was in pain from something that was her own fault?
''No, it's fine.'', she whispered. She was silent a few seconds, then continued in a hushed voice while keeping her head low. ''I'm sorry. For the mirror. oI- I shouldn't have-''
''Seriously? Chloe, you and I both know very well that my family can afford a thousand mirrors and more.'', he secured the bandage, then got off his knee and instead sat down next to her, placing his hand on hers. ''I don't care about the stupid mirror. You could smash stuff all you want, for what I care, as long as it makes you feel better. I just don't want you to hurt yourself, you know?''

Chloe swallowed a lump in her throat and resisted the urge to let the tears flow again. They didn't have such a heartfelt conversation in a long time. The last time they had been really serious was when Adrien's mother disappeared and before that, when her mother left.
She could barely believe her own ears. No one else cared about her like that.

Apparently, her eyes did pool with tears again because her vision started blurring and also Adrien pulled her into a comforting hug, stroking her back.
''I'm your friend, Chloe. I have been for a long time. And I'm sorry, I didn't notice what was going on and wasn't there for you earlier. But I am now. I'll always be. You're not alone anymore.''
Chloe sniffled. ''Thank you. Just... just thank you.'', she mumbled into his shoulder.
''Of course.'', he said. ''I'm here for you.''

I'm sorry, in comparison to the last chapters this one is rather short. Next ones are gonna be longer again!